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22
MATERNAL MORTALITY.
During the year 1 case of Puerperal Fever and 4 cases of
Puerperal Pyrexia have been notified. In each case the Doctor
in charge of the case reported that full facilities for the nursing and
treatment of the case in question were available.
There were, however, 4 maternal deaths during the year, and
the causes of death were as follows:—
1. Puerperal Septicaemia In Edmonton and Enfield Joint
Isolation Hospital.
2. Pulmonary Embolism At Home.
Post Partum.
3. Septic Abortion In North Middlesex County
Hospital, Edmonton.
4. Eclampsia and Cardiac Do.
Failure.
The average age of these four women was 31 years.
In November, 1934, the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee
considered Circular No. 1433 of the Ministry of Health
concerning maternal mortality.
In this Circular the Minister reviewed the steps that had been
taken to reduce maternal mortality, and suggested that local
authorities should call for a special report on this subject from their
Medical Officer of Health, shewing to what extent effect had already
been given to the recommendations of the Maternal Mortality
Committee in their final report for 1932 in respect of the following:—
1. Improving the Ante-natal services.
2. Ensuring that the services of a trained midwife are
available for all confinements.
3. Securing the provision of maternity beds for complicated
cases and for patients with unsuitable home conditions, such
beds to be associated where practicable with general hospitals,
preferably in small units readily supervised, and for which
prompt specialist services for serious cases may be made
available.
4. Providing facilities for the adequate isolation and
separate nursing of cases of Puerperal Sepsis, and
5. Obtaining the services of a consultant for doctors
needing assistance in difficult and complicated cases.
The Minister stated that there was a clear case for development
of maternity services on urgent grounds of public health, and he
considered that it would be true economy for each Authority to do
what is needed to provide a service for their area which is both
effective and comprehensive.